Things to do in Chicago this weekend

  Finally, Festival Season is upon us.  Closest to our neighborhood, Mayfest is held on Friday night through Saturday night in the parking lot for Augustus Burley School, at Ashland and Barry.  There is supposed to be some sort of German Heritage being celebrated here, but I couldn't find out exactly what as the website is overcrowded with logos for Hoffbrau Haus beer as well as that old German standby, Pabst Blue Ribbon.  Don't miss the "Traditional Keg Tapping" (see what I mean) on Friday at 8 pm.

 

Not so much an event, but noteworthy nonetheless, American Science and Surplus (5316 N. Milwaukee, at Foster) is having its annual scratch and dent sale.  Odd since I thought everything at American Science and Surplus was scratch and dent merchandise.  Where else on earth can you find an Ancient Radiation Meter:

Are the kids growing up with pride? Radiating good cheer? You can tell for sure with...What? It’s for nuclear radiation? An old Civil Defense meter? Bummer. Apparently, this OCD radiation meter from the Victoreen Mfg. Co. was made to sniff out the residue of the nuclear holocaust when you emerged from your bomb shelter. Calibrated 5 r/hr (Roentgen) with a X 0.1, X1, X10, X100 sensitivity selector, it runs on (1) “D” battery (not included.) The Civil Defense yellow boxes are about 8” x 4–1/2” x 3–1/2”. It comes with complete instructions for use. The CD V–777–2 includes two 4–1/2” long x 1/2” dia dosimeters and a 2” x 4” x 4” dosimeter charger. This one is used, but it works fine, even if it looks a bit scuffed.

And in case you're still on the hunt for the perfect bargain, check out the Ravenswood Manor Annual Garage Sale.  There's a link in one of the topmost entries with a map of all the participating houses.  This is one of the oldest and largest garage sales in Chicago.  And if I do say so myself, these homes probably have some pretty noteworthy trash/treasures to rummage through.